Upholstered frame means for sofa beds

ABSTRACT

A sofa bed construction of the type having a sofa frame and a bed frame which is adapted to be stored within the sofa frame when in a collapsed condition but which can also be opened into a bed. The sofa frame of the invention consists of metal members which define flanges at particular locations. The sofa frame is adapted to be covered with upholstery material with the material extending between flanges defined by the respective metal frame members. A plurality of clips are provided for securing the upholstery material to the flanges. These clips comprise U-shaped resilient members having side walls adapted to fit around the flanges and associated upholstery material. These clips thereby resiliently hold the material in position relative to the metal frame members.

Unite States UPHOLSTERED FRAME MEANS FOR SOFA BEDS [75] Inventor: EdwardL. Bronstien, .1112, St. Paul,

Minn.

[73] Assignee: The United States Bedding Company, St. Paul, Minn.

22 Filed: Jan. 8, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 321,693

[52] 111.5. Cl. 5/353.1, 5/13, 5/51 E, 248/345.1, 297/218 [51] int. C1.A47c 27/04, A47c 31/10 [58JField of Search...24/72.5, 235, 255 AS, 255TC, 24/259 FF, 259 FS; 248/3451; 5/353.1,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,649,898 8/1953 Quakenbush5/3533 3,107,365 10/1963 Caldemeyer et a1. 5/51 R 3,311,408 3/1967Saruas 297/218 3,393,933 7/1968 Cornelius 248/3451 3,423,775 1/1969Cockerill 5/353.1 I 3,695,690 10/1972 Carson 297/218 PrimaryExaminer-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-McDougall, Hersh &Scott 1 5 7 1 ABSTRACT A sofa bed construction of the type having a sofaframe and a bed frame which is adapted to be stored within the sofaframe when in a collapsed condition but which can also be opened into abed. The sofa frame of the invention consists of metal members whichdefine flanges at particular locations. The sofa frame is adapted to becovered with upholstery material with the material extending betweenflanges defined by the respective metal frame members. A plurality ofclips are provided for securing the upholstery material to the flanges.These clips comprise U-shaped resilient members having side wallsadapted to fit around the flanges and associated upholstery material.These clips thereby resiliently hold the material in position relativeto the metal frame members.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures HIENIED lfl UPHOLSTEREI) FRAME MEANS FORSOFA BEDS This invention relates to a sofa bed construction of thegeneral type comprising a sofa frame and associated bed frame. Theinvention is particularly concerned with means for securing upholsterymaterial to the sofa frame portion of the bed whereby the structure willhave an attractive appearance when being used as a sofa.

In the construction of sofa beds, problems arise due to the fact thatthe sofa frame portion must have upholstery associated therewith, andthe upholstery must be arranged in such a manner that it will notinterfere with the bed frame operation. In typical sofa bedconstructions, the sofa frame portions are made of wood, and theupholstery is secured in place by means of tacks and the like with theover-all operation being relatively inefficient.

It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved sofa bedconstruction which is characterized by an improved sofa frame andupholstery arrangement whereby the bed can be manufactured in a highlyefficient manner.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a sofa bedconstruction employing a metal frame arrangement designed for simplifiedapplication of upholstery material thereto.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a sofa bedconstruction which includes a clip arrangement for securing upholsterymaterial to the sofa frame whereby the construction can be assembled ina highly efficient manner.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter andfor purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, specificembodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly cut away, illustrating a sofa framestructure of the type contemplated by this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a clip structure characterizedby the features of this invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken about the line3-3 of FIG. 1 illustrating the arrangement for securing upholstery toside frame members;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken about the line 44of FIG. 1 illustrating the manner in which upholstery material issecured to the front frame member;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the mannerin which upholstery material is secured at the intermediate level of theback frame member; and,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the mannerin which the upholstery material is secured at the bottom outer edge ofthe back frame member.

The sofa bed construction of this invention is of the general typehaving a sofa frame portion and a bed frame portion. The bed frameportion has a collapsed position within the sofa frame in which case theconstruction is utilized as a conventional sofa. When eonverting theconstruction. to a bed, this bed frame portion is opened or unfolded.The following description relates particularly to the sofa frame portionof a sofa bed, and it will be understood that a variety of collapsiblebed frames may be utilized in conjunction with the stein US. Pat. No.2,982,974 for :an example of a bed frame construction which could beutilized with the sofa frame desci'ibed herein.

The particular sofa frame of this invention consists of a plurality ofmetal frame members comprising front and back members andinterconnecting side members. These metal members are all provided withflanges, and the frame members are designed so that upholstery materialcan be positioned thereon. The flanges are located so that theupholstery material is positioned in the area of the flanges, and clipmeans are employed for securing the material to the flanges.

The clip means employed in the practice of the invention compriseU-shaped members in the form of channel sections. These members includea base and side walls integrally formed with the base. The side wallsextend angularly inwardly relative to each other whereby a small openingis defined between the outer edges of the side walls. The size of thisopening is less than the combined thickness of a flange and upholsterymaterial associated therewith. The opening defined be tween the sidewalls in the area of the base is, however, approximately equal to orgreater than the combined thickness of a flange and the associatedupholstery material;

The clips are formed of plastic or other resilient material and areadapted to be forced into position for holding the upholsterymaterialrelative to the flanges. Thus, the side walls are forced apart fromtheir normal position to enter into gripping relationship with theupholstery and associated flanges.

The sofa frame 10 shown in FIG. I is adapted to receive a collapsed bedframe. The bed frame is shown in phantom at I2, and, as indicated, anysuitable bed frame could be utilized.

The sofa frame includes a front frame member 14 which extendstransversely between side frame members 16. A back frame member 1.8 alsoextends transversely between the side frame members.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the front frame defines upper and lower flanges20 and 22. This frame may be a single integrally formed member with arib 24 being provided for reinforcement.

The side frames 16 each include a top rail 26, an intermediate rail 28,and a bottom rail 30. The back frame defines a top rail 32, and atransversely extending rail 34. An additional transversely extendingrail 36 also extends between the side frame members 16.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the top rail 26 for each side frame definesdownwardly extending flanges 38 and 40. The intermediate rail 28 definesa downwardly extending flange 42 while the bottom rail 30 defines aninwardly extending flange 44.

FIG. 5 illustrates the lower end of the back frame rail 34. This backframe rail defines an upwardly extending flange 46. The additional backframe rail 36 defines an upwardly extending flange 48 as shown in FIG.6.

The frame members described are particularly suited for the applicationof upholstery material. Considering the front frame member 14,upholstery material 50 is provided to extend from the top flange 20completely over the front surface of the frame member, and then intoposition around the bottom flange 22. The material is adapted to be heldin place on this frame member by means of clips 52. As best shown inFIG. 2, each clip 52 defines a base 54 having opposed side walls 56assowherein the entry portion 58 comprises a relatively small openingdue to the angular disposition of the side walls 56. The size of theopening 58 is smaller than the combined thickness of the upholstery 50fit around an associated flange, and in order to insure a tight fit, thesize of the opening may be equal to or smaller than the flange thicknessalone.

In use, a clip 52 is merely forced into position for engagement of theside walls thereof with the upholstery as shown at the top of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 3, the upholstery material is secured to an innerflange 42 at an intermediate level of the sofa frame as determined bythe location of the rail 28. As indicated, one end of the upholsterysection 60 is attached to this flange by means of clips 52.

The upholstery section 60 extends over the top rail 26 and thendownwardly toward the bottom rail 30. The other end of this upholsteryextends around the bottom rail flange 44 for attachment to this flangeby means of clips 52.

In the case of the back of the structure, the transversely extendingrail 34 provides a means for securing one end of fabric section 62. Asshown in FIG. 5, the clips 52 are utilized for holding this fabricrelative to flange 46.

The fabric section 62 extends over the top rail 32 of the back section,and then downwardly around the lower end of the transversely extendingrail 36. Clips 52 are utilized for securing the fabric to the flange 48of this rail as shown in FIG. 6.

The construction described provides a highly efficient means forproviding upholstery on the sofa frame portion of a sofa bed. It will beapparent that the metal members can be readily constructed fromrelatively inexpensive metal sections and assembled by routinetechniques. Furthermore, the use of metal members provides an extremelystrong arrangement which is particularly compatible with the bed frameswhich are usually also made of metal. Thus, the connections between therespective frames are more easily made and are more secure'whenmetal-to-metal connections are involved.

The clip structures 52 are also quite easily manufactured. Thesestructures may be formed from elongated channels which are cut intoshort lengths whereby the clips can be obtained on a low cost highproduction basis. Various plastics such as polyethylene andpolypropylene are quite suitable for use in the production of theseclips.

The manner of locating the fabric ends relative to the flanges, and thesubsequent application of the clips is also accomplished in an extremelystraightforward fashion. These operations can be carried out quiteeffectively by relatively unskilled personnel which greatly improves theefficiency of the system. In this connection, more than one layer ofupholstery or related materials can be readily applied, particularlysince it is a simple matter to provide clips of different sizes,depending on the particular performance desired.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may bemadein the above described construction which provide the characteristics ofthe invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly asdefined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

l. A sofa bed comprising a collapsible metal bed frame assembly,

a substantially rigid, metal, sofa frame assembly, said sofa frameassembly including a sofa front metal frame portion, a sofa right sidemetal frame portion, a sofa left side metal frame portion and a sofarear metal frame portion,

metal flange portions formed on each of said metal frame portions,

means for covering said sofa frame assembly, said covering meanscomprising a cover fabric, said cover fabric including a first coverfabric portion covering said front metal frame portion and lying in afirst generally vertically disposed plane, a second cover fabric portioncovering said rear metal frame portion and lying in a second generallyvertically disposed plane, a third cover fabric portion covering saidright side metal frame portion and lying in a third generally verticallydisposed plane and a fourth cover fabric portion covering said left sidemetal frame portion and lying in a fourth generally vertically disposedplane, and each of said fabric portions defining inturned portionsextending to said metal flange portions,

means for securing said inturned fabric portions to said metal flangeportions, said securing means comprising a plurality of resilient clips,each of said clips including means for engaging a cover fabric portionfitted into engagement with a metal flange portion and for providing abias force to maintain said engaged cover fabric portion in a relativelystationary contacting engagement with one of said metal flange portions,

at least some of said metal flange portions being disposed on said metalframe portions of said sofa frame assembly out of the generallyvertically disposed planes formed by their respective cover fabricportions such that said resilient clips are substantially hidden fromview.

2. A sofa bed as defined in claim I wherein each of said resilient clipscomprises a generally U-shaped member having an elongated base portionand two wall portions, each of said wall portions forming an acute angleof a first magnitude at its juncture with said base portion when saidresilient clip is in a non-stressed or unbiased condition.

3. A sofa bed as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said wall portionsforms an angle of a second magnitude at its juncture with said baseportion when said resilient clip is in a stressed or biased conditiondue to its engagement of a cover fabric portion and its maintenance ofsaid engaged cover fabric portion in a relatively stationary contactingengagement with one of said metal flange portions, said second magnitudebeing greater than said first magnitude.

4. A sofa bed as defined in claim 3 wherein said U- shaped membercomprises an integrally formed plastic member.

5. A sofa bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said front frame portionincludes first and second metal flange portions for receiving saidresilient clips, said first and second metal flange portions beingdisposed in a fifth plane, said fifth plane being substantially parallelto and horizontally spaced from said first plane.

seventh plane being substantially perpedicular to said third plane.

8. A sofa bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said left side frame portionincludes a fifth metal flange portion for receiving said resilientclips, said fifth metal flange portion being disposed in an eighthplane, said eighth plane being substantially perpendicular to saidfourth

1. A sofa bed comprising a collapsible metal bed frame assembly, asubstantially rigid, metal, sofa frame assembly, said sofa frameassembly including a sofa front metal frame portion, a sofa right sidemetal frame portion, a sofa left side metal frame portion and a sofarear metal frame portion, metal flange portions formed on each of saidmetal frame portions, means for covering said sofa frame assembly, saidcovering means comprising a cover fabric, said cover fabric including afirst cover fabric portion covering said front metal frame portion andlying in a first generally vertically disposed plane, a second coverfabric portion covering said rear metal frame portion and lying in asecond generally vertically disposed plane, a third cover fabric portioncovering said right side metal frame portion and lying in a thirdgenerally vertically disposed plane and a fourth cover fabric portioncovering said left side metal frame portion and lying in a fourthgenerally vertically disposed plane, and each of said fabric portionsdefining inturned portions extending to said metal flange portions,means for securing said inturned fabric portions to said metal flangeportions, said securing means comprising a plurality of resilient clips,each of said clips including means for engaging a cover fabric portionfitted into engagement with a metal flange portion and for providing abias force to maintain said engaged cover fabric portion in a relativelystationary contacting engagement with one of said metal flange portions,at least some of said metal flange portions being disposed on said metalframe portions of said sofa frame assembly out of the generallyvertically disposed planes formed by their respective cover fabricportions such that said resilient clips are substantially hidden fromview.
 2. A sofa bed as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said resilientclips comprises a generally U-shaped member having an elongated baseportion and two wall portions, each of said wall portions forming anacute angle of a first magnitude at its juncture with said base portionwhen said resilient clip is in a non-stressed or unbiased condition. 3.A sofa bed as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said wall portionsforms an angle of a second magnitude at its juncture with said baseportion when said resilient clip is in a stressed or biased conditiondue to its engagement of a cover fabric portion and its maintenance ofsaid engaged cover fabric portion in a relatively stationary contactingengagement with one of said metal flange portions, said second magnitudebeing greater than said first magnitude.
 4. A sofa bed as defined inclaim 3 wherein said U-shaped member comprises an integrally formedplastic member.
 5. A sofa bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said frontframe portion includes first and second metal flange portions forreceiving said resilient clips, said first and second metal flangeportions being disposed in a fifth plane, said fifth plane beingsubstantially parallel to and horizontally spaced from said first plane.6. A sofa bed as defined in claim 1 wherein said rear frame portionincludes a third metal flange portion for receiving said resilientclips, said third metal flange portion being disposed in a sixth plane,said sixth plane being substantially parallel to and horizontally spacedfrom said second plane.
 7. A sofa bed as defined in claim 1 wherein saidright side frame portion includes a fourth metal flange portion forreceiving said resilient clips, said fourth metal flange portion beingdisposed in a seventh plane, said seventh plane being substantiallyperpedicular to said third plane.
 8. A sofa bed as defined in claim 1wherein said left side frame portion includes a fifth metal flangeportion for receiving said resilient clips, said fifth metal flangeportion being disposed in an eighth plane, said eighth plane beingsubstantially perpendicular to said fourth plane.